How to Plan the Best Family Trip to Bali – A Complete Guide for First Timers

Published by Travel Me,

Bali, the land of gods, is Indonesia’s pride and joy. Feeling exhausted? A few days in Bali is all you need to feel refreshed and recharged. It’s magical and mystical, offering something for every type of traveller. Often known as a romantic destination for those seeking love and solo travellers looking for liberation, Bali offers something for families too. Here’s how to plan a family trip to Bali.
Image via Wikimedia Commons - Sean Hamlin, A view of entrance stairs to Pura Besakih Hindu Temple Bali Indonesia, CC BY 2.0

Best Time to Visit Bali for Families
The best time to visit Bali is the dry season, which runs from April to September. These months offer the best weather for outdoor enthusiasts interested in surfing, diving, and exploring the island’s natural beauty. May to August is the most popular, with clear skies and endless sunlight, attracting tourists from across the globe. However, the dry season sees large crowds resulting in higher prices for accommodation and activities.
If you don’t mind a bit of rain, visit during the dry season, which lasts from October to March. Despite the rain, you’ll still find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the island’s attractions.

Places to Stay
Bali is one of the most popular destinations in the world. The island is visited by every type of traveller all year long. To accommodate them all, the island offers a hospitality sector that’s as diverse as its landscapes. Solo travellers might be happy at guesthouses, while couples might like to stay at a villa. For families, however, the likes of Harris Hotel and Residence Sunset Road Bali might be more suitable, especially for those searching for family accommodation in Kuta.
If you’re visiting during the dry season, which is the peak season, you might have to contend with many other travel enthusiasts. So it’s wise to book your spot as early as possible.

Getting to Bali
Thanks to its proximity to the airport, getting to Bali is quite straightforward. Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), located in Denpasar, serves as the main gateway to the island, offering direct flights from Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. If you’re travelling from other regions without the possibility of direct flights, there are connecting flights through travel hubs such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Jakarta. Plus, there are ferry services from islands like Lombok and Java.

How Long Should You Stay in Bali?
Well, you should stay for at least a week, if not longer. 10 days would be ideal and give you enough time to settle in and recover from any jetlag before exploring the island. If you don’t have a lot of time, you can explore most of what the island offers within 3 to 4 days. The best thing to do is to hire a driver to explore the island.

What to Pack
Bali is a tropical country, so you need summer clothes to withstand the heat and humidity. Here are some other things to pack for your Bali family trip:
  • Sunhats, sunglasses, and sun lotion.
  • Mosquito repellent.
  • Doctor-prescribed medication and antibiotics.
  • If you’re visiting during the rainy season, pack raincoats and umbrellas.
Most hotels provide mosquito nets and bug repellent. Sunlotions and hats in Bali can be quite expensive, so bring yours from home.

Is the Food Safe to Eat in Bali?
Bali is famous for its food scene. From street food to fine dining, Bali’s culinary scene caters to all. Restaurants and hotels adhere to safety protocols, so you have nothing to worry about. However, you might want to be a bit careful when eating street food.
Here’s some advice for first-time visitors to Bali:
  • Avoid drinking tap water, unless it can be boiled. Only drink bottled water. Try not to order smoothies and juices from roadside stalls.
  • When ordering food, make sure it’s freshly prepared and still hot when served.
  • You shouldn’t bet on the cleanliness of buffet food. Unless it’s an upscale restaurant, buffet food usually sits in the heat for hours.
  • Diary products aren’t the best dietary supplement when in Bali.